UPDATE: See today’s latest information
Details are scarce, but as of 2pm today, March 16, Solano County increased the number of positive cases of coronavirus from 7 to 9. (UPDATE: Without explanation, on March 17 Solano County reduced its count of positive cases from 9 to 8.)
Benicia’s City Manager Lorie Tinfow publishes an email newsletter every Monday. I found this one very interesting, especially the Water Resources Tools. You can sign up to receive the newsletter here. – R.S.
Highlights: Water Resource Tools, Census Forms in the Mail
March 16, 2020
Hello Everyone,
On behalf of the City Council and City staff, I want to take a moment to reach out to everyone in our Benicia community with an important message about the current public health emergency. We understand that the emergence of COVID-19 has created some real challenges, as well as fear among members of the Benicia community and beyond. Our understanding of the future of the virus and its impacts continues to evolve on an almost a daily basis. A team of senior City staff that includes representatives from every department are meeting daily to stay on top of the changes, prepare our responses and keep the community as safe as possible. These activities are our primary focus right now.
There are many sources of information flooding us in the media and social media; some of this information is alarmist and false. To help everyone, we created a dedicated website with up-to-date vetted information regarding the City, State and National response to this virus as well as steps you can take to better protect yourself and your loved ones. You can rely on it for information to answer your questions: ci.benicia.ca.us/coronavirus. Please also take a look at the updates we’ve provided in press releases issued last week. You can find them under Press Releases below.
We understand how challenging this emergency has been for so many in our town and appreciate how fortunate we all are to live and work in a place that has such a profound sense of community and where we understand the importance of looking out for each other. Using the best practices for staying safe, we encourage you to check in on your neighbors and friends, especially those who might be more vulnerable. Provide support to them where you can. Think about those in need; do not horde, but rather share with others when possible.
We also remind you that if you find yourself in a place that you feel you cannot take care of yourself or feel you need help, please call us. Our emergency communications center is open 24-hours a day, 7-days a week and can be reached by calling 707.745.3411.
While these times are difficult, they also present an opportunity to show just what a caring and amazing community we are.
Wishing you good health!
Lorie Tinfow
City Manager
CityofBeniciaThisWeek@ci.benicia.ca.us
Water Resources Tools: Do you like data? Are you looking for trusted hydrologic and climate data sources? If so, here are some of the tools used by our Public Works Department to manage the City’s water resources.
Drought Information
The federal government brings data from many sources into the National Integrated Drought Information System. This portal serves as a one-stop-shop for near-term climate data and projections. These data are useful in projecting annual water demand in Benicia. Last week, 38% of California is experiencing abnormally dry conditions.
https://www.drought.gov/drought/
Major Reservoir Levels
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) aggregates reservoir data in this portal. Current reservoir information is needed to understand water available for diversion and use. Six days ago, Oroville Reservoir (the major water storage facility in the State Water Project) is 64% full.
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/resapp/RescondMain
Solano County Water Agency Weekly Operations Report
Our water wholesaler, the Solano County Water Agency, provides weekly reports on our local water sources. This link is a little technical in nature, but provides a critical snapshot of Benicia’s water sources: the Solano Project and the State Water Project. Lake Berryessa is about 92% full.
http://www.scwa2.com/about-us/weekly-operations-report
Census forms began arriving in our mailboxes this week. As a reminder, you are asked to respond by April 1. The easy questionnaire takes 10 minutes or less and may be completed securely online using the Census ID code you received in your envelope.
Your prompt response will —
More information on the Census can be found at Census.gov. Details on Solano County’s outreach program can be found by visiting the Solano Economic Development Corporation’s website.
Recent City of Benicia press releases are available on the City of Benicia website under Main/Announcements.
Mar 17 – City Council meeting, 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber, City Hall. See the Full Agenda for more information.
Mar 20 – City Hall closed for Alternate Friday.
City of Benicia | edev@ci.benicia.ca.us | 707.746.4200 | ci.benicia.ca.us
City of Benicia This Week is published weekly. Previous editions are available here.
We also communicate on Nextdoor.com and AlertSolano.org. Sign up now!
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UPDATE: See today’s latest information
Solano County is reporting a single new positive case of COVID 19, but the report is ambiguous, and seems to suggest that there are actually two new cases. The total number of cases in Solano County reported on the County’s Public Health website rose from 6 to 7 on March 15. UPDATE/CLARIFICATION: KRON4 News clarifies that there is only ONE person who is an adult dependent of a service member, and that the disease was from a community contact.
March 15, 2020
SOLANO COUNTY – Solano Public Health officials received confirmation that a Solano County resident and an adult dependent of a service member at Travis Air Force Base has tested positive due to community acquired exposure to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The individual is in isolation at their respective off-base residence. A Contra Costa resident and active-duty airman also tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and is in isolation at their respective off-base residence.
Solano Public Health is coordinating closely with Travis Air Force base to provide important care to these individuals. The agencies will continue to work together to mitigate the effects of the virus and provide pertinent updates as timely as possible.There continues to be a low risk of COVID-19 to the community. There are simple daily precautions that everyone should take, such as:
– Washing your hands with soap and water, and rubbing for at least 20 seconds
– Coughing or sneezing into a tissue, sleeve or arm (not your hands)
– Avoiding close contact with people who are sick
– Staying home when you are sick
– Avoiding touching your face, particularly your eyes, nose and mouth
– Performing routine surface cleaning, particularly for items which are frequently touched such as doorknobs, handles, remotes, keyboards and other commonly shared surfaces
– If you are an older adult (60+ years of age), avoid congregate and social gatherings
– Getting a flu shot to protect against the flu, which has similar symptoms to COVID-19
If you have recently returned from a country with ongoing COVID-19 infections, monitor your health and call your health care provider first before going to the medical facility if you develop fever and other sign/symptoms of a lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath.
For more information about this rapidly evolving situation, visit cdc.gov/COVID19. For local updates, visit solanocounty.com/publichealth or the Solano Public Health Facebook page, @SolanoCountyPH.
For information about influenza activity and surveillance in California, visit the CDPH website at www.cdph.ca.gov
March 15, 2020
Dear Parent(s) or Guardian(s),
You are receiving this letter to inform that during the school closures, the Food and Nutrition Services Department will be serving free meals for all of our students.
Parents and students may drive or walk up to any of the two locations listed below to pick-up breakfast and lunch. If at all
possible please bring your students to receive those meals. Each student will receive a lunch for the day and a breakfast
for the next day. They will be all put together in a grab and go bag for your convenience. It’s food that’s in, while school
is out. Come one day or come every day it is your choice, but don’t miss this opportunity!
Meal Pick-Up Procedures:
● Start date: Tuesday March 17 through Friday March 27
● Locations:
Robert Semple Elementary
2015 E 3rd St, Benicia, CA 94510
*Entrance of the Staff Parking Lot
Benicia High School
1101 Military W, Benicia, CA 94510
*Turn into Plaza de Oro and keep right pass the gates until you see us
● Time: 11:00AM – 12:00PM
We are asking you to respond to this email: tcourtney@beniciaunified.org if you would like your child(ren) to participate in this program and which of the two serving schools they will pick up their meals. Please include their names, so we can
anticipate how many meals to prepare.
Sincerely,
Tania P. Courtney
Director of Nutrition & Food Services Department
Benicia Unified School District
1101 Military West, Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 748-2758
E-mail: tcourtney@beniciaunified.org
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